I've released my documentary film on the history of the right to arms, "In Search of the Second Amendment." It stars twelve professors of constitutional law, plus Steve Halbrook, David Kopel, Don Kates, and Clayton Cramer. You can order the DVD here. And here's the Wikipedia page on it. SUPREME COURT SPECIAL: additional orders only $10 each.

Historical quirk about BATFE

The agency starts out as the Alcohol Tax Unit of the IRS. In 1934, it is assigned enforcement of the National Firearms Act. It stays the Alcohol Tax Unit.

In 1952, it becomes the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division. Still no mention of firearms.

The Gun Control Act of 1968 adds explosives to its responsibilities, and so it is renamed the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division, later the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Explosives is nowhere to be found in its title.

Finally, in 2003 it gets renamed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

It appears that for some reason 20-30 years pass between the agency being assigned a field, and that being reflected in its title! Even the agency has problems with it, since the webpage proclaims that in 2003, when it became ATFE, "In addition, the agency's name was changed to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to reflect it new mission in the Department of Justice."